Killer whales are accustomed to seeing people on boats, and sometimes express mild interest in their human admirers.

But they don't often see dogs, which might explain the extremely curious approach of Southern Resident killer whales Sunday after they spotted a yellow lab aboard a 22-foot boat at the San Juan Islands off Washington.

The lab is Sailor, whose owners, Kate and Jaycee Butler, said they have not experienced this type of intimate encounter in 40 years of whale watching in the Pacific Northwest.

The orca turning on her back to look at the people, and especially the dog, is K13, or Skagit, a female born in 1972 (an estimate), who travels with her four kids and two grand kids. (Skagit was identified for this story, based on her distinctive white eyepatch, by Melisa Pinnow of the Center for Whale Research.)

Images: James Gresham

While Kate can be heard expressing her disbelief during the close encounter–"Are you flipping kidding me?!"–Sailor, who is vigorously wagging his tail, is speechless.Source